Apparatus for automatic recording of successive measurements such as bowling pin status

ABSTRACT

An electro-mechanical apparatus for transferring and permanently recording data indicating specific bowling pins left standing, and conversely those bowling pins knocked down, following the roll of each ball in a bowling game; this data is recorded in punched card form and is then adaptable for either manual or machine totalization.

O UllltEd States Patent 1 1 1111 3,737 ,915 Matcovich et al. 1 1 June 5,1973 [54] APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATIC [56] References Cited RECORDING OFSUCCESSIVE MEASUREMENTS SUCH AS BOWLING UN'TED STATES PATENTS a PINSTATUS 2 $22,227; 3/1313); Eghenberger asterer Inventors: John J. Matcoich, 6 3 2,618,338 11/1952 Bennes ..346/104 x Woodside, N.Y. 11377; JohnE. Maw, 19] Forest Boulevard, FOREIGN PATENTS 0R APPLICATIONS Ardsley,NY. 10502 162,602 1 1905 Gennany ..273 54 0 [22] Filed: Sept. 30, 1971 IPrimary Examiner-Joseph W. Hartary PP N04 185,068 Attofney-Lorimer P.Brooks, Alfred L. Haffner,Jr.,

Related U.S. Application Data Harold et [62] Division of Ser. No.786,255, Dec. 23, 1968, Pat. No. 57 ABSTRACT An electro-mechamcalapparatus for transferring and [52 U Cl 346/79 234/126 346/104permanently recording data indicating specific [51]. Cl 5/04 bowling'pins left standing, and conversely those [58], Fieid 104 79 bowlingpins knocked down, following the roll of each 346/78, 134; 273/54 C;234/126, 127, 128, l22,120,13l;235/61.12R

ball in a bowling game; this data is recorded in punched card form andis'then adaptable for either manual or machine totalization.

14 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJUN sum sum u [1F 5 nrl I APPARATUSFOR AUTOMATIC RECORDING OF SUCCESSIVE MEASUREMENTS SUCH AS BOWLING PINSTATUS This application is a division of application Ser. No. 786,255,filed Dec. 23, 1968, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,610,619.

This invention relates to a bowling scoring method, recorder and scorecard therefor, permitting permanent recording of the specific pins leftstanding and their relative position or location identity after eachroll of the ball during the game. The resultant score record is readilyadaptable for manual totalization of the cumulative and final score orfor machine totalization and statistical processing.

Presently in the game of bowling, it is customary to use scoring chartsprovided by proprietors or operators of bowling alleys for scorekeeping. It is generally customary for either the bowler, himself, orpersons designated for this purpose to keep score. Various bowlingmachine totalizers have been suggested which automat ically totalize andscore the results of the game from its beginning toend, but thesemachines are found commercially unacceptable for many reasons. The mainreason that these bowling machine totalizers are found unacceptable, isthat they produce a quantitative record as opposed to a qualitativerecord. Stated another way, these known scoring machines provide a non-The present invention provides a bowling recording procedure, apparatusand record which lack relative complexity as compared to those attendantprior art totalizers and which are more readily acceptable commerciallyand afford a more meaningful record of the participants individualperformance.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an exact andpermanent record of a participants performance in a game of bowling.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide such recordin a form readily acceptable to statistical analysis by data processingmachinery, singly or in combination with similar records of the samebowler or like records of other bowlers, such as in team play.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide an exact andpermanent record of a bowlers performance in a less complex and lessexpensive manner than afforded by prior art systems.

In the practice of the present invention, use is made of the momentarypin-status indication currently provided by commercial pinspottermachines during the standing pin portion of their full cycle ofoperation. Electrical signals corresponding to this pin-statusindication is transmitted to the approach end of the bowling alley, andis utilized as an input to the recorder of the present invention. Therecorder acts to punch a score card blank in order to provide a recordof each pin left standing after each roll of the bowling ball during thegame. The record is arranged so as to appropriately identify each pinleft standing in regard to pin number and frame number, and isconstructed of a flexible blank cut for automatic data processing, suchas the commonly utilized IBM card. The resultant punched record,constitutes a permanent record of each pin fall during the game and thusof the cumulative and final game score. Of course, a printed record, asopposed to the preferred punched record may also be utilized inaccordance with the present invention.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the recorderconstructed in accordance with the present invention includes means fordefining a recording area where the score card is marked, andpositioning means for selectively placing the card in this recordingarea during the bowling game. The recorder also includes input means forcoupling electrical signals indicating the positional status (e.g.,those pins which remain standing), of the various bowling pins aftereach roll of the bowling ball; and also includes-recording meansarranged in the recording area for marking the score card in response tothese electrical signals to provide a record of the status and identityof each of the pins during the game. Control means are utilized forchanging the relative positional relationship between the recordingmeans and thescore card after each roll of the bowling ball whereby therecorder provides a qualitative record of the status and identity ofeach pin throughout the game and serves to indicate the cumulative andfinal quantitative score of the game.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, therecording means of the recorder includes indexing means for providingthe score card with an indexing mark each half-frame of the game; andthe recorder has a control means, responsive to the presence of anindexing mark within the recording area, for changing the relativepositional relationship between the recording means and the scorecard sothat the card is relatively positioned in the recording area forrecording the succeeding half-frames of the game. In addition, circuitmeans, responsive to the input signals, are preferably provided fordetecting the occurrence of game strikes and for operating the controlmeans to change, upon the occurrence of a strike, the positionalrelationship between the recording means and the score card to aposition corresponding to the first half of next succeeding frame of thegame.

In its preferred embodiment, the recording means includes means formarkingthe score blank in such a manner that it is machine readable byautomatic data processing equipment; and the positioning means of therecorder includes a carriage for carrying the score card to therecording area. In this preferred form, the control means includes meansfor shifting the carriage relative to the recording means after eachroll of the bowling ball. Also, means may be provided in the recorderfor marking the score card every time all of the bowling pins have beenknocked down thereby providing a separate record on the score cardindicating the strikes and spares made during the game as well as thespecific frame in which they occur. I

There has thus been outlined rather broadly the more important featuresof the invention in order that the detailed description thereof thatfollows may be better understood, and in order that the presentcontribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course,additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafterand which will form the subject of the claims appended hereto. Thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which thedisclosure is based may readily be utilized as a bases for the designingof other structures for carrying out the several purposes of theinvention.

A specific embodiment of the invention has been chosen for purposes ofillustration and description, and is shown in the accompanying drawingsforming a part of the specification wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a recorder constructed in accordancewith the present invention, and shows the exterior features thereof;

FIG. 2 shows one side of a score card utilized in the recorder of FIG.1, and arranged to be processed by automatic data processing machinery;

FIG. 3 shows the reverse side of the score card shown in FIG. 2, andindicates the manner in which the cumulative and final total score ismanually realized;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the recorder shown in FIG. 1 with theouter cover removed and taken through the punching head of the recorder;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the recorder shown in FIG. 1 with the outercover removed and certain parts shown broken away to show details; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic wiring diagram of control circuitry foruse in therecorder shown in FIG. 1.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, and specifically to FIG. 1,there is shown a recorder 10 constructed in accordance with the presentinvention. The recorder 10 is preferably adapted to be positioned nearthe approach end of a bowling alley so as to be readily accessible bythe bowler during and immediately after the bowling game. The recorder10 has a stationary card tray 12 for receiving and holding a score card(FIGS. 2 and 3) during the recording process which occurs during thegame. The recorder 10 is provided with a green indicator light 14 whichoperates in a manner more fully disclosed hereinafter to indicate thatthe recorder is properly set and ready to receive bowling data; and ared indicator 16 is provided for indicating when bowling data is beingrecorded and that the score card should not be removed from therecorder. In addition, a removal button RBH is provided in the shelvingof the stationary card tray 12 for actuating the recorder 10 in a mannermore fully discussed below so that the score card may be removed duringany portion of the bowling game. Indicator windows 18 arranged in theconventional pattern in which the bowling pins are initially set duringa bowling game, are provided for indicating the specific pins standingduring the last previous roll of the ball.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, it will be observed that a score card, showngenerally at 20, for use with the recorder 10 is a standard size dataprocessing card, such as the commonly utilized IBM card. As shown inFIG. 2, one side of the score card 20 is arranged with ruled lines 22which extend along the length of the card, to define a plurality of rows24 corresponding in number to the number of bowling pins utilized in thegame. Preferably these rows 24 are identified as at 26 by indiciaspecifically indicating each conventional pin number to which the rows24 correspond. The score card 20 is also arranged with ruled lines 28extending parallel to one another and across the width of the card todefine the card into a plurality of columns 30, each corresponding to ahalf frame of the bowling game.

The score card 20 includes a row 32 extending across the length of thecard 20 for accommodating frame index marks in a manner moreparticularly described below. Also another row 34 extends across thelength of the score card 20 and is pre-marked with indicia X andrepresenting strikes and spares, respectively, the strikes indicia beingpre-printed at all odd columns corresponding to first half-frames of thebowling game, and the spare indicia being pre-printed at all evencolumns corresponding to the second half-frame of the bowling game. Asshown in FIG. 3, the reverse side of the card 20 may be marked withruled lines 36 to define on that side the columns 30 of the other side.In addition, a total score row 38 and a frame score row 39 intersectedby alternate ruled lines 36 may be defined to provide a place on thescore card for recording the cumulative and individual frame scores,respectively.

Returning now to the features of the recorder 10, it will be seen fromFIGS. 1 and 5 that the stationary card tray 12 is slotted as at 41 toallow passage therealong of a score card retainer 40 pivotally fastenedthrough the slot 41 to a carriage 42 (FIG. 5). The carriage 42 isarranged to slide below and parallel to the stationary platform 12. Asshown in FIG. 5, the card retainer 40 pivots about the carriage 42:under toggle action through the provision of a leaf spring 44. Thus, asshown in the dotted outline of FIG. 5, in operation, the card retainer40 is pulled back as far as the carriage 42 permits and is bentdownwardly against the bias of leaf spring 44 to permit the insertion ofthe card 20 on the stationary tray 12. Then the card retainer 40 isreturned and placed around the edge of a card, as at 46, to retain thecard on the stationary shelf 12 and hold same while the carriage 42 ismoved parallel to the shelf 12. As the carriage is moved inwardly thecard is confined at its top by toe guides 48, and at its rear by.

fingers 50 provided at the rear of carriage 42.

The carriage 42 is provided with a plurality of teeth RB, RA, R10 R10etc.-(FIG. 5) which override a carriage locking pawl 52 suitably securedin the recorder as at 54, and biased against the teeth by tension string56. The teeth and the pawl 52 are arranged so that any inward movementof the retainer 40'and carriage 42 from the outlined position shown inFIG. 5, causes the teeth to override the locking pawl 52 and be retainedin position by an opposing force provided by a carriage return spring58.

As shown in FIG. 5 snap action switches CIM and CCM are arranged in therecorder 10 to be operated by the square and cut corners respectively,of the score card 20 when the latter is properly inserted intherecorder. The purpose of the-switches CIM and CCM will become moreapparent hereinafter. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 a detent solenoid DTS isprovided in the recorder to prevent insertion of the carriage 42,andthus the card 10, when signal input is provided by the pin detectionsystem. To this end, a moving solenoid plunger 60 is arranged to engagea recess 62 provided in the carriage 42 when the carriage 42 is in itsextended position and the solenoid DTS is energized.

As best shown in FIG. 4, the recorder 10 has a perforated plate 64extending thereacross to define a work platform for marking the scorecard. A marking mechanism, shown generally at 66, is provided directlyabove the support plate 64 for carrying out the marking process. Themarking mechanism 66 includes a stationary guide 68 fixed relative tothe support plate 64 and comprising perforated plates 70 and 72 whichfunction to guide punches 74 extending therethrough. A punch head 76,slideable on guides 77 provided on opposite sides of the recorder, ispositioned directly above the stationary guide 68 and functions to drivethe punches 74 through the perforations in the stationary guide 68 andsupport plate 64 to thus mark the score card 20 interposed therebetween.The punch head 76 is driven downwardly by a solenoid PRS which controlsan arm and roller arrangement shown generally at 78 in FIG. 4. Biassprings 79 are provided to oppose the downward movement of the punchhead and return same to its quiescent position upon deactivation of thesolenoid PRS.

Twelve punches 74, i.e. 74a, 74b, 74,, 74 74, are utilized in thepreferred embodiment. The end punch 74a functions to provide an indexmark every half frame of the bowling game while the other end punch 74bfunctions to provide a perforating mark to eliminate the pre-printedspare and strike indicia provided in the card 20 described above. Theremaining punches 74 74 are arranged to coincide with the rows 24defined on the score card 20 and are related to the specific pindesignations found at 26 thereon (FIG. 2). As shown in FIG. 4, the punchhead 76 is provided with a recess 80 which permits the complete downwardmovement of the punch head 76 without moving punches 74 74, and 74b. Onthe other hand, the recess 80 is arranged, as at 82, so that the punchhead 76 when depressed always moves the punch 74a downward through theperforated plates 64 and 72. As best shown in FIG. 5, pin interposers 84are provided adjacent punches 74, 74 and 74b, and are arranged toproject into the recess 80 of the punch head 76 upon actuation ofoperatively connected solenoids lPS IPS and IPS respectively. The recess80 and the pins 84 are relatively arranged so that when the interposerpins are positioned within the recess and the punch head 76 is moveddownwardly, the punch head will selectively drive those punches 74having their corresponding interposer pins actuated. The interposer pins84 are returned to their quiescent position shown in FIG. upon thedeactivation of the interposing solenoids by return springs 86 connectedto each. 4

.As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the recorder includes a sensing yoke 88arranged to move along guide 90 provided on the side of the recorder andconstructed to house a sensing pin 92. The sensing yoke 88 is arrangedto raise, under the operation of solenoid SRS, the sensing pin 92against the underface of the score card to sense for the presence ofindexing marks provided by the punch 74a. If no index mark is present,the sensing pin 92 urges against the rear surface of the score cardunder the bias provided by spring 94 included within the sensing yoke88. If, however, an index mark is present, the sensing pin 92 projectstherethrough and in doing so raises its lower end to actuate amicroswitch SM held in closed position by spring 96. The switch SM, whenactuated, controls the movement of the carriage 42. To this end, and asshown in FIG. 5, an actuating solenoid PWS is actuated upon the closureof the microswitch SM to rotate a pawl arm 98, carrying an index pawl100 pivotally arranged on the arm pawl 98, as at 102, and spring biasedto pin stop 104 by a tension spring 106. The index pawl 100 is arrangedupon actuation of solenoid PWS to disengage pawl 52 from carriage 42 andsimultaneously engage one of the teeth of carriage 42. Upon thedeenergization of solenoid PWS, the index pawl 100 is returned to thepin stop 104 releasing the carriage 42 from engagement with the indexpawl 100 and allowing the carriage to move outwardly one tooth lengthunder the urging of spring 58 to reengage pawl 52.

i As best shown in FIG. 5, contacts Cla, Clb .Cl0a and C10b arestaggeredly arrayed on the carriage 42 and positioned adjacent eachtooth thereof except at teeth RA and RB. A common contact Ck is providedwhich always engages each of the named contacts, Cla, Clb Cl0b; and inaddition, two other contacts, CEV and COD, are arranged to alternatelycontact the aforementioned contacts Cla, Clb C10b provided on thecarriage 42. Specifically, the contact CEV is arranged to contact alleven contacts, i.e. Clb, C2b, etc., and the contact COD is arranged tocontact all odd contacts on the carriage 42, i.e. Cla, C2a, etc.

The control relay circuitry for operating the various above describedsolenoids and switches and sensing mechanisms is shown generally at 108in FIGS. 4 and 5, and specifically in FIG. 6. The specifics of thecontrol circuitry 108 are best noted by considering their operation inconjunction with the previously described electromechanical structure ofthe recorder during the various phases of a typical bowling game.

Although the symbols used in FIG. 6 are selfexplanatory to those skilledin the art, a full understanding may be expedited by pointing outcertain conventional symbols. All circuits are shown therein withcontacts in their positions when all corresponding relays aredeenergized, i.e. with no power supplied. All solenoids utilized formechanically actuating purposes are designated with the suffix S.Mechanically actuated contacts of snap-action type switches are showndiagrammatically with an extension and a roller symbol, and aredesignated in the specification and drawing with a final letter M. Therectifiers shown in the several circuits of FIG. 6 are blockingrectifiers and function to prevent feedback, such as where contacts areused to energize more than one circuit. Timed relays are distinguishablefrom other relays shown by their associated capacitors and resistorswhich provide the necessary time constants. Contacts associated withspecific electromechanical relays carry the relay coil designation witha particular identifying number appended thereto. It will be noted thatcertain of the relay contacts serve electrical interlock purposes onlyand that certain repetitive circuits have been omitted forsimplification.

I As previously pointed out, signal input for the recorder 10, and thusfor the control circuitry shown in FIG. 6, may be taken from theshort-time illuminated indicators'currently used in conjunction withcommercial automatic pinspotting machines, such as for example, theshort-time indicator shown in FIG. f U.S. Pat. No. 2,590,444 to I.Millman et al. Alternatively, such short-time indication signals may betaken from a photoelectric detection system positioned near the pins orcould be taken from a system such as shown in U. S. Pat. No. 651,601 toF. X. Ganter. Regardless of the type of signal input used, it is to beunderstood that the indicating period, preferably about 5 seconds, willbe reflected in the closed status of contacts W of FIG. 6; and specificpin standing indication information will be transferred to the recorder10 and be reflected therein by the closed status of respective ones ofcontacts in the group lz through 102 of FIG. 6, each of which has anumeral prefix corresponding to specific pin interposers 84 controlledthereby. Thus, for example, the

closed status of contacts W may correspond to the closed status ofcontacts 412d in the above-mentioned Millman et al. patent (FIG. 6); andthe closed status of contacts lz through 102 may correspond to theoperational status of indicator lights 1-10 shown in FIG. 6 of theMillman et al. reference.

In operation, the score card 20 is inserted on the stationary shelf 12and retained thereon by the toggle action of the card retainer 40. Forceis then exerted on the card retainer 40 to move the carriage 42 againstthe action of spring 58 and to position the card under the markingmechanism 66 at the position corresponding to the row thereof related tothe first half of the first frame. If, however, a signal input to therecorder is present while the carriage 42 is extended from the recorder,the solenoid DTS is actuated by the presence of this signal input toprevent the insertion of the carriage 42 into the recorder. Normally,however, forward pressure on the card retainer 40 will cause thecarriage 42, carrying the score card with it, to advance inwardly withits teeth RB, RA and R10B, R10A, etc. overriding the carriage lockingpawl 52 to the full-in position where the locking pawl 52 engages thecarriage indexing tooth RlA. If the score card orientation is proper,i.e., proper end forward and proper face upward, the uncut cornerthereof will actuate-the CIM snap-action switch, described above, toclose same; and the cut corner will leave the snap-action switch CCM,also described above, in its closed status. As shown in FIG. 6, theclosed status of switches CIM and CCM permits operation of relay COwhich becomes self-holding by the operation of its contact CO, untilsubsequent manually initiated release by the operation of the buttonRBI-I. The operation of relay CO closes contacts CO to actuate sensingsolenoid SRS described above. The actuation of sensing solenoid SRSraises the sensing yoke 88 (FIGS. 4 and along the guide 90 and permitsthe sensing pin 92 to bear against the underface of the score card. Inaddition, the operation of relay CO closes contacts CO and permits greenlight 14 (FIG. 6 and FIG. 1) to indicate readiness to bowl. At thistime, since contacts C0, are closed, the operation of relay OD iscarried out through the connection of commutator contacts CK to CODthrough the contact Cla provided on the carriage 42.

Assuming that as a result of the initial ball rolled, all of ten pinsare left standing. Upon detection and indication of this result, signalinput contacts W and all the Z contacts will close. The related Srelays, 18 through 108, thereupon operate and, in turn, each causes,through the closure of related contacts 8,, operation of its counterpartIPS pin interposer solenoid, IPS, through IPS (FIGS. 4 and 5) mounted onthe punch head 76 and advances its counterpart pin interposer 84 inpreparation for the punching operation. As shown in FIG. 6, the closingof any contacts 18, 108 also permits the actuation of mark interposersolenoid IPS (FIGS. 4 and 5), which similarly advances its counterpartmark interposer 84.

Shortly following initiation of signal input, a relay GST (FIG. 6),timed in operation and in release relative to the signal input, actuatesits contacts. Thus, upon operation of relay GST, its contacts GST,thereby open to release sensing solenoid SRS (FIGS. 4 and 5) droppingthe sensing yoke 88 away from the score card 20, and retracting thesensing pin 92 therewith. Also, the actuation of relay GST closes itscontacts GST, to

energize the rotary punch solenoid PRS (FIG. 4) to rotate the actuatingcam to force the punch head 76 downwardly on guides 77 against the forceof the bias springs 79. This movement of the punch head 76 causes theindex punch 74A, mark punch 74B and all ten pin punches 74 74 topenetrate the score card at its first half of first frame column (FIG.2).

Upon termination of the input signals (after about five seconds), eachof contacts W and Z open, and each of related relays 1S through 105 dropout. Shortly thereafter, the timed GST relay will also drop out. Inaddition, all pin interposer solenoids are deenergized and are returnedto their initial position by return springs 86.

At this stage contacts GST return to their normally closed position andactuate the sensing solenoid SRS to raise the sensing pin 92 through thenewly punched index hole in the score card, thus permitting the far endof the sensing pin to actuate the snap-action switch SM (FIGS. 4 and 5).As shown in FIG. 6, the contacts SM, of the switch SM cause actuation ofrelay SMT, which is delayed in its release by capacitor CS. Uponactuation of relay SMT, contacts SMT, open to deenergize solenoid SRSand drop the sensing pin 92 away from the score card thus opening relaycontacts SM again. Also, upon actuation of relay SMT, contacts SMT,close to energize carriage indexing solenoid PWS (FIGS. 4 and 5), whichthrough the arm 98 advances the carriage indexing pawl 100. Thisactuation of indexing solenoid PWS initiates a one step escapementaction of the carriage from the locking pawl 52 by dislodging thelocking pawl 52 from the tooth RlA.

Upon release of the relay SMT, followed by solenoid PWS release, theindex pawl 100 is returned to stop 104 through the urging of the returnspring 106. By this carriage movement the locking pawl 52 is inengagement with the carriage tooth R13; and the record card, transportedby the movement of carriage 42, is positioned under the markingmechanism so that its second half-frame column is now positioned underthe punching head (FIG. 1). Also, this movement causes contact CK tocontact CEV through C1,, thus dropping relay OD (FIG. 6) and permittingactuation of relay EV followed by actuation of related relay EVT.

Release of relay SMT also permits its contacts SMT to again energizesensing solenoid SRS to raise the sensing yoke 88 and sensing pin 92 tocontact therepositioned score card. Since no indexing pole exists in thescore card at this new position, i.e., the second half of the firstframe, indexing pin 92 travel is restricted by the card and the contactSM remains open.

It will be appreciated that the recorder 10 is'now prepared to acceptscoring results for the next ball to be rolled. Assume now that allbowling pins left standing in the initial half frame are knocked down bythe second ball rolled, for a spare no S relays (FIG. 6) will beenergized, and consequently no IPS solenoids will be actuated toposition pin interposers 84 in the recess of the punching head. Also,since none of the pin interposer solenoids are actuated, the markinterposer solenoid IPS will not be energized. Accordingly, punch actionin this case, would cause card penetration only for the index punch 74A.Thus, in this case the pre-printed spare symbol of the score card wouldnot be punched out, thereby leaving indicia indicating that a spare hasbeen made. Following punch release and index sensing, the newly punchedindex hole permits full travel of the sensing pin 92 to again initiatethe next step of escapement of the carriage 42 moving the score card ina manner such that the column corresponding to the first half of thesecond frame is positioned under the punching head. In this case, thecommutator CK would move from C1,, to C2 thus transposing from EV to ODrelay actuation.

Assume now that the roll of the first ball of frame two, knocks down allthe pins, for a strike. For substantially the same reasons previouslydescribed in connection with the rolling of a spare, only an index holewill be punched in the score card and the preprinted strike symbol inthe last row of the card would remain unpunched. Additionally, uponoperation of relay OD, OD contacts (FIG. 6) are closed and all Scontacts are closed so that relay XT is energized. The relay XT is timedin pull in and release, and is made self holding through its own contactXT, to remember the strike. Following punch release and sensing pinaction in the manner described above, the carriage 42 is moved to placethe score card in a position corresponding to the second half of thesecond frame. This movement causes the release of relay OD and theoperation of relay EV followed shortly by the operation of relay EVT. Asshown in FIG. 6 with XT and EV now energized, contacts XT, and EV,permit mark interposer, IPSM, to be energized. In addition, withcontacts XT closed, the

closing of contacts EVT permits operation in the punched solenoid PRSindependent of the status of contacts GST Accordingly, card punchingoperation will occur for the index hole and the mark hole only thelatter to eliminate the pre-printed spare symbol which is not hereapplicable. Thus, the circuit arrangement of FIG. 6 automatically shiftsthe score card carried by the carriage 42 to the first half of the nextframe when a game strike is made.

When the punch head 76 has completed its downward stroke, switch PDM isactuated (FIG. 4) and contacts PDM are opened. The opening of thesecontacts interrupts the XT holding circuit as contacts EV are alreadyopened. Upon timed release of XT, punch solenoid PRS and mark interposersolenoid IPS are released. This action releases switch PDM and causescontacts l DM to close again to permit solenoid SRS to position thesensing pin 92 through the newly punched index hole in the card and thusinitiate indexing of carriage and card to the first half frame positionof the third frame.

It will be seen that under these conditions a strike is recorded and isimmediately followed by punch out of both the next index point and thenon-pertinent spare symbol, and that this is followed by advance of thecarriage and score card to the first half of the frame following that towhich a strike is made. If, however, a strike occurs in the tenth frame,double indexing will leave the card at tooth RA (FIG. 5), preparatory torecording results of an initial extra ball. The rolling of the initialextra ball is followed by another single indexing step to advance thecarriage and score card to tooth RB for the final ball results. Theindexing mark at each of these stations, i.e. RA and RB, serves asevidence for their scoring, even if each extra ball rolled left no pinsstanding. In addition, since as inferred above, relay OD is not activein stations RA and R8,, no XT initiation of double indexing is possibleif all the balls are knocked down.

Assuming now that following completion of the second frame of bowling,it is desired to remove the record card, such as for the use of thealley for another player or other reasons, pressure is made on buttonRBI-I (FIGS. 1 and 6) to result in repetitive action of relay FRT (FIG.6) which is timed in operation and release and which is selfinterrupting through its FRT contacts. Initial operation, with FRTcontacts open, interrupts the CO relay sustaining circuit thus isolatingall circuits associated with punching action by reason of the CO,contacts being open; and since contacts FRT are closed, the carriageindexing pawl is operated by the solenoid PWS. As the relay FRTcontinues to alternately complete and interrupt the circuit to the PWSsolenoid, the carriage 42 is sequentially moved to its full-out positionunder the action of carriage return spring 58. During this release, openCO contacts ensure retracted status of the sensing pin 92.

At a later time, in preparation of the resumption of bowling by theparticipant, the card is reinserted completely'in the recorder andcauses the reestablishment of operation of relay CO. At each previouslyindexed punched half frame station, i.e., in this example those of thefirst two frames, relays SRS and SMT as well as Solenoid PWS would actto move the carriage 42 and the score card out one column 30 in themanner previously described. The carriage, and thus also the card, wouldthen come to rest at the first column 30 of the score card which has noprior punched indexing hole. Card removal and later replacement is thusachieved while maintaining accurate continuity of score.

As shown in FIG. 6 light sources R0 1 through R0 10 (FIGS. 3 and 6) areactuated whenever a record card is actively being used, i.e., contact COclosed, and are used in conjunction with the indicator windows 18 toindicate the particular pins left standing on the previous roll.Specifically, the light sources are positioned under the score card andselectively optically coupled via light guides to the windows 18 throughthe punched holes of the last frame.

An inspection of the score card shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 for a typicalcompleted game will indicate that an exact game record of strikes,spares, splits, singles or other pins left standing by each ball rolledis afforded by the punched record of the score card (FIG. 2). Thisrecorded data permits manualtotalization of frame and game total scoresin the conventional manner (FIG. 3). In addition, the completed puncheddata processing card, i.e. an IBM card, is obviously readily adaptablefor use as a computer input along with similar cards of the same bowleror with similar record cards of other bowlers such as for teamtotalizing or seasonal average determination.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by letters patent is:

1. Apparatus for successively recording a plurality of successivemeasurements in spaced positions on a record card comprising means forgenerating electrical signals representative of each of saidmeasurements, means responsive to said signals for marking said cardwith marks corresponding to said signals and with a mark indicating thegeneration of said signals and means responsive to said mark forproducing relative stepping movement between said card and said markingmeans for thereby moving said card to a position for receiving markscorresponding to subsequent signals.

2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said means for producingrelative stepping movement com- 4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1,wherein said measurements are the number of bowling pins struck duringeach roll of a ball in a bowling game and said means for generatingsignals generates signals corresponding to the number of pins leftstanding after a roll of the ball.

5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 4, wherein said means for producingrelative stepping movement comprises means responsive to the generationof signals corresponding to the absence of any pins left standingforincreasing the number of relative steps between said card and saidmarking means.

6. Apparatus as set forth in claim 4, wherein 'said means for producingrelative stepping movement comprises means responsive to the generationof signals corresponding to the absence of any pins left standing aftera predetermined number of said marks indicating the generation of saidsignals have been made on said card for further moving said card andsaid marking means relative to each other.

7. Card punch apparatus comprising carriage means for receiving a cardto be punched and advancing it stepwise in a first predetermineddirection, electrical signal input means for receiving electricalsignals representative of the information to be recorded by punchingholes in said card, electrically actuable punching means connected tosaid input means, said punching means comprising a plurality of punchesmounted adjacent said carriage means and spaced from each other in, asecond direction transverse to said first direction, one of said punchesbeing operated to punch a hole in said card each time that a signal isreceived by said input means and the other of said punches beingselectively operated by said signals to punch a hole in said carddependent upon the signals received, and means for sensing the presenceand absence of a hole punched by said one punch for controlling theadvance of said carriage means.

8. Apparatus as set forth in claim 7, wherein said sensing meanscomprises an electrically movable pin mounted adjacent said carriagemeans in a position to engage the portion of the card which is punchedby said one punch, said pin being movable into a first position in theabsence of a hole in said card punched by said one punch in the portionthereof adjacent said pin and being movable into a second position inthe presence of a hole in said card punched by said one punch insaidportion thereof adjacent said pin and means controlled by said pinfor advancing said carriage means following the time said pin reachessaid second position and for stopping the advance of said carriage meanswhen said pin is in said first position.

9. Apparatus as set forth in claim 7, wherein said input means has aplurality of inputs, one for each signal to be received, each of saidinputs being connected to the actuating means of a different one of saidpunches.

' 10. Apparatus as set forth in claim 9, further comprising a pluralityof electric switches, one for each of said inputs, and means connectingeach of said switches to a different one of said inputs.

11. In combination with the apparatus of claim 7, a card formed offlexible material and having a plurality of intersecting rows andcolumns thereon, one of said rows being disposed to be punched by saidone punch in each column and each of the other rows being disposed to bepunched by one other punch.

12. The combination as set forth in claim 11, wherein "the number ofrows corresponds to. the number of pins utilizedin a bowling game plusone and the number of columns corresponding to the number of halfframes'in said game.

13. A score card for use with an automatic recorder for scoring abowling game comprising a flexible blank constructed to be used withsaid recorder and having a plurality of intersecting rows and columnsdefined therein, the number of said rows corresponding to the number ofpins utilized in said bowling game plus one additional row and thenumber of columns corresponding to the number of half frames in saidgame, said blank having perforations therethrough in columnscorresponding to completed half frames which indicate the status of thebowling pins after the completion of a half frame and havingperforations therethrough in said additional row which indicate thenumber of completed half frames. a

14. A score card as in claim 13, wherein said blank includes at leastone further row, said further row having predisposed indicia therein foralternatingly representing strikes and spares, said indicia indicatingstrikes being disposed adjacent odd ones of said columns and saidindicia indicatingspares being disposed adjacent even ones of saidcolumns and said blank having perforations therethrough in said furtherrow to indicate said strikes and spares.

1. Apparatus for successively recording a plurality of successivemeasurements in spaced positions on a record card comprising means forgenerating electrical signals representative of each of saidmeasurements, means responsive to said signals for marking said cardwith marks corresponding to said signals and with a mark indicating thegeneration of said signals and means responsive to said mark forproducing relative stepping movement between said card and said markingmeans for thereby moving said card to a position for receiving markscorresponding to subsequent signals.
 2. Apparatus as set forth in claim1, wherein said means for producing relative stepping movement comprisesmeans responsive to the generation of predetermined electrical signalsfor modifying the relative movement between said card and said markingmeans.
 3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein said modifyingmeans modifies said relative movement by increasing the relativestepping of said card and said marking means.
 4. Apparatus as set forthin claim 1, wherein said measurements are the number of bowling pinsstruck during each roll of a ball in a bowling game and said means forgenerating signals generates signals corresponding to the number of pinsleft standing after a roll of the ball.
 5. Apparatus as set forth inclaim 4, wherein said means for producing relative stepping movementcomprises means responsive to the generation of signals corresponding tothe absence of any pins left standing for increasing the number ofrelative steps between said card and said marking means.
 6. Apparatus asset forth in claim 4, wherein said means for producing relative steppingmovement comprises means responsive to the generation of signalscorresponding to the absence of any pins left standing after apredetermined number of said marks indicating the generation of saidsignals have been made on said card for further moving said card andsaid marking means relative to each other.
 7. Card punch apparatuscomprising carriage means for receiving a card to be punched andadvancing it stepwise in a first predetermined direction, electricalsignal input means for receiving electrical signals representative ofthe information to be recorded by punching holes in said card,electrically actuable punching means connected to said input means, saidpunching means comprising a plurality of punches mounted adjacent saidcarriage means and spaced from each other in a second directiontransverse to said first direction, one of said punches being operatedto punch a hole in said card each time that a signal is received by saidinput means and the other of said punches being selectively operated bysaid signals to punch a hole in said card dependent upon the signalsreceived, and means for sensing the presence and absence of a holepunched by said one punch for controlling the advance of said carriagemeans.
 8. Apparatus as set forth in claim 7, wherein said sensing meanscomprises an electrically movable pin mounted adjacent said carriagemeans in a position to engage the portion of the card which is punchedby said one punch, said pin being movable into a first position in theabsence of a hole in said card punched by said one punch in the portionthereof adjacent said pin and being movable into a second position inthe presence of a hole in said card punched by said one punch in saidportion thereof adjacent said pin and means controlled by said pin foradvancing said carriage means following the time said pin reaches saidsecond position and for stopping the advance of said carriAge means whensaid pin is in said first position.
 9. Apparatus as set forth in claim7, wherein said input means has a plurality of inputs, one for eachsignal to be received, each of said inputs being connected to theactuating means of a different one of said punches.
 10. Apparatus as setforth in claim 9, further comprising a plurality of electric switches,one for each of said inputs, and means connecting each of said switchesto a different one of said inputs.
 11. In combination with the apparatusof claim 7, a card formed of flexible material and having a plurality ofintersecting rows and columns thereon, one of said rows being disposedto be punched by said one punch in each column and each of the otherrows being disposed to be punched by one other punch.
 12. Thecombination as set forth in claim 11, wherein the number of rowscorresponds to the number of pins utilized in a bowling game plus oneand the number of columns corresponding to the number of half frames insaid game.
 13. A score card for use with an automatic recorder forscoring a bowling game comprising a flexible blank constructed to beused with said recorder and having a plurality of intersecting rows andcolumns defined therein, the number of said rows corresponding to thenumber of pins utilized in said bowling game plus one additional row andthe number of columns corresponding to the number of half frames in saidgame, said blank having perforations therethrough in columnscorresponding to completed half frames which indicate the status of thebowling pins after the completion of a half frame and havingperforations therethrough in said additional row which indicate thenumber of completed half frames.
 14. A score card as in claim 13,wherein said blank includes at least one further row, said further rowhaving predisposed indicia therein for alternatingly representingstrikes and spares, said indicia indicating strikes being disposedadjacent odd ones of said columns and said indicia indicating sparesbeing disposed adjacent even ones of said columns and said blank havingperforations therethrough in said further row to indicate said strikesand spares.